Valkyries erase double-digit deficit, close preseason with win over Phoenix Mercury

Sunday s encounter against the Phoenix Mercury had an all-too-familiar feel for the Valkyries Much like Tuesday s loss to the Los Angeles Sparks Golden State had a sluggish first half in which they couldn t get anything going offensively The opposing crew built a sizable lead early in the third quarter before the Valkyries stormed back to make things absorbing in the fourth And with minutes remaining the contest was going to be decided by which band could execute down the stretch This time it was the Valkyries who hit the big shots Golden State erased a -point third-quarter deficit to beat the Mercury - on the road in its preseason finale After shooting just of from the three-point line in the first half the Valkyries made s in the final minutes of play The Valkyries ended Sunday s encounter hitting of their -point attempts We like to come off a little bit cold Golden State coach Natalie Nakase explained I just have to figure out how to get them a little bit more warm in the beginning but I want them to continue to let it fly Migna Tour scored of her game-high points off the bench Starting forward Kayla Thornton had points five rebounds and four steals Guard Carla Leite chipped in points The Valkyries will open the season against the Sparks at Chase Center on Friday We put specific work together as a company and that has made us grow everyday Tour reported I think currently is an example of who we are improving to the end and continuing to push Phoenix opened the third quarter with a - run and seemingly looked to have complete control with the Valkyries starters checking out of the event for good But Golden State s bench unit led by Leite and Tour unveiled means to knock down shots The Valkyries responded with a - run of their own to cut the Phoenix lead to three capped off by a Leite from the wing With seconds remaining in the period Tour knocked down a three of her own giving Golden State its first lead since the opening minute of the first quarter After an and- -pointer from Leite gave the Valkyries a two-point lead minutes into the fourth quarter the Bay Area group never trailed again and closed the match with veteran guard Julie Vanloo knocking down four consecutive free throws to ice the event I think we shared the ball and exposed open shots Leite revealed when petitioned what sparked the Valkyries second half comeback Tour makes incident for roster spot After playing sparingly in the Valkyries preseason opener Tour looked to be a long shot to make Golden State s final roster But after Sunday the French guard made things a lot tougher for Nakase and Golden State s front office Tour flashed her three-level scoring ability in the win and was the catalyst for the Valkyries comeback in the second half She shot from the field from beyond the arc and had a plus-minus rating of Golden State s roster at this moment sits at and will need to get cut to before Friday s season opener Related Articles Warriors coach Kerr lauds Kuminga s Challenge mulls Butler s minutes load Warriors defense comes and goes with Draymond Green in loss to Timberwolves Warriors claim they are not desperate after wasting vintage Playoff Jimmy performance Curry-less Warriors squander big nights from Butler Kuminga in Meeting loss Why WNBA veteran Kayla Thornton is built to lead expansion Valkyries Injury updates Guard Kate Martin missed Sunday s event with a hand injury Nakase noted Martin jammed her finger but doesn t consider the injury to be serious and kept the second-year guard out to be cautious Stephanie Talbot and Cecilia Zandalasini missed their second straight challenge and are considered day-to-day